High hopes for new off-road cycle trail
A VITAL link in a long awaited long distance cycle-pedestrian route into the heart of Devon, could soon be approved at the second time of trying.
A controversial four-mile off-road trail between Lustleigh and Moretonhampstead, mainly along a former railway line, is due to go before Dartmoor planners in the autumn.
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The £2million scheme was rejected by the national park three-years ago causing a great deal of acrimony, but now the applicants, Devon County Council, has amended the plans to overcome the objections and supporters are hopeful this time it will get the go ahead.
It will be part of an ambitious project to create a route from the South Devon coast to Okehampton.
The scenic Wray Valley Trail will be open to cyclists, walkers and horse riders and could become an important tourist attraction. Where similar paths have been laid out in other parts of the county, they have provided a huge economic boost to rural economies all year round.
A large chunk of the route from Bovey Tracey to Lustleigh already runs along the disused rail track and the county council has plans to improve the remaining access into Lustleigh, off-road and along quiet lanes.
When the three communities of Moretonhampstead, Lustleigh and Bovey Tracey were consulted over the scheme, there was an 87 per cent overall response in favour.
Moretonhampstead was the most enthusiastic with 96 per cent support, but there was some vocal opposition in Lustleigh with only 40 per cent in favour, and 57 per cent against. In Bovey, 92 per cent backed the route.
Ken Robertson, secretary of the Newton Area Cycling Group, believes the trail will 'improve the provision of facilities for cyclists and walkers beyond all recognition'.
In a letter to the planners, he says the main A382 road between Lustleigh and Moretonhampstead was used by experienced cyclists, 'but for many it poses too many risks'.
He said: “The timid and inexperienced would not even consider venturing on to this road, so an alternative is essential. This proposal will do that in an ecologically sound manner.”
Liz Prince, from the Moretonhampstead Development Trust, reckons the path will bring many benefits to the eastern side of Dartmoor — social, economic and environmental.
“It will prove a popular amenity with residents and visitors alike — safe, level, picturesque and environmentally sound.
“It will be a truly wonderful resource and it would be inconceivable and unforgivable if this opportunity was allowed to slip again.
“The scheme falls absolutely in the centre of all the Dartmoor National Park's policies of re-sustainable tourism, transport and economic development.”
A spokesman for the county council said an independent ecological survey had been conducted on the route, to minimise the effect on protected species. About 600 metres of hedgerow would be planted to the east of Wray Barton Manor to provide a route for dormice.
Cllr Margaret Rogers, the executive member for the environment, said: “This trail can be a unique asset that may be enjoyed by the local community to benefit their health, while reducing their carbon footprint.
“It will be a valuable addition to Devon's growing cycle network and provide local people with alternative green travel between Moretonhampstead and Lustleigh.”
2 Comments
by Jeff Vinter, Chichester, Sussex
Saturday, August 09 2008, 4:04PM
“Mr Molloy misses the point about Devon County Council's work on disused railway lines. The principle purpose is to give people viable alternatives to the car. I have just spent a week's holiday in Somerset (it will be Devon later) and used my car just once. The rest of the time, I walked, used the local (preserved) railway, and cycled. The pity was that, when cycling, I had to share the roads with motorists, the younger ones often driving like maniacs. By contrast, railway paths make cycling a pleasant and attractive experience. Clearly, little is to be gained if people just drive to a railway path, cycle a few miles, and then drive home - but DCC is trying to create a proper network of these routes throughout the county, which will offer a real alternative to using the car for every journey. To describe a railway path as a 'huge black scar' is ridiculous. After construction, it will 'green up' within a year. I suspect that Mr. Molloy is actually a Lustleigh resident opposed to this development for personal reasons. Regular and extensive use of a bicycle might soften his views somewhat - unless he believes that car use can rise for ever, that there is no obesity problem in the UK, and that global warming is a fantasy invented by scientists. Plenty of railway path builders have heard arguments like this before, so it is gratifying here in Sussex to see garden gates appearing in the fences alongside railway paths so that householders and their families can get on to the route directly. A further common objection is that railway paths will act as conduits for every conceivable form of human misbehaviour. The evidence from hundreds of these routes around the UK is that this is a complete fiction. All credit to DCC for its efforts to promote walking and cycling as pleasant and healthy transport choices. If only more local authorities in the UK were as committed to this vision.”
by Ted Molloy, Lustleigh
Tuesday, August 05 2008, 1:47PM
“I don't think the public are fully aware of the adverse effect this proposed cyle track would have on the residents of Lustleigh as there is no facility for parking,and there are many safety issues that have not been addressed and the bulk of the disused track has gone back to nature creating a unique haven for wild life. Also there are parts of the track that are under private ownership and is used for agricultural land and as part of some residential propertys, this ill conceved plan will in effect deprive the residents on the track of their privacy and destroy the whole character of the Lustliegh area Devon County Council are already indirectly threatning the land owners with compulsery purchase if they are not willing to sell their land needed for the proposed cycle track.Dartmoor National Park have a remit to preserve the natural beauty of Dartmoor and the surrounding Villages and Hamlets so who will want this huge black scar running through this beatiful vally.”